The school had another pig and Ria Dell thought that her micro pig Marmite could do with some company for a while.
Two months after she left Marmite in the school’s care, she found out he was dead. The school and Ria, 21, are now in a legal battle disputing who owned Marmite.
After receiving Marmite as a 21st birthday present, Ria gave him to the school as she felt he was growing lonely. She claims she was only loaning him to them.
Ria told a UK newspaper that she visited Marmite three times a week and was shocked when he suddenly disappeared. However, she claims she was only told of his death after a series of conversations with the school.
The school insist that Marmite was ‘aggressive’, and that a vet advised them to have him slaughtered.
Ria disagrees, saying: “He was a pet, he wasn’t livestock. Imagine what it would be like to have that happen to your dog. He would come when you called his name, he would sit in my lap for cuddles and he would give kisses.
“When I found out I was devastated. I couldn’t believe it and I was just screaming.”
Both Ria and the school claim they have proof that they were Marmite’s owners.